Mobile Phones & Broadband

[strubby]

I've been thinking about getting a 'smart phone' for a while now, and it dawned on me that there was probably an online forum I could get feedback from. I am in the contrsuction field, mostly finish carpentry in retail construction; Best Buy Mobiles being one of the current stores we do. Simply put, I'm hard on phones. I bought the Motorola Tundra (through AT&T) for this very reason, and have gone through two of them already. Both for the same problem, first the hinge spring went bad, and eventually the screen literally fell off it's hinges. Now do you see my concern buying a smart phone?

I was in a Best Buy Mobile at my local mall and one of the associates was telling me I had nothing to worry about with the $9.99/month insurance they offered. Zero deductible and unlimited claims. Ok, that certainly sounds better than AT&T's $150 deductible limited claims policy. However, what is the fine print on this? I certainly don't make it a hobby of wrecking phones, but with my lifestyle, it's sometimes inevitable. Of course I will get an Otter Box, or similar protector. This insurance policy, if legit, would be the only reason I would get a smart phone. So, I'd like to hear more info from both sides...

Next, my questions are what phone?? I'm one of those 'anti Apple' guys by heart. However, Apple seems to have influenced EVERYTHING these days. One example, why do the new age car radios with smart phone connectivity and Bluetooth only work all functions via Apple products? Why can't a DROID phone connect the same way Iphones do? It's not the phones, it's the software in the system of said car, etc. Why?? Anyways... these reasons have made me consider getting an Iphone, but does this 'insurance plan' also cover them? If so, I may consider one. My father just got the Samsung Infuse and it's a very nice phone. I prefer it over my girlfriend's EVO 4G from Sprint. That would be on the list as well. What are pros and cons of comparable phones? I don't need to newest age technology and could care less about the cool factor of having the latest and greatest. I would use the phone for Pandora, checking email and checking forums, etc whenever I can't get to a computer, nothing crazy. Or, maybe a smart phone still isn't for me...

So, I have many questions and I apologize for the long winded post, but I like to be thourough and include any info I can the first time.

[Bagman]

Be very careful with the phone protection plan at Best buy, Does not cover, lost, stolen or crushed phones, could take awhile to get phone fixed since it has to be shipped out, I'm a garbage man and also have been hard on phones my Carriers insurance is faster and covers lost & stolen, crushed phones, I have also read in the forums where people have been denied because the damage was beyond normal wear & tear. I really need the phone for work so paying the deductable is not a problem for me because I get my phone within 3 days of claim. You can read more on the geek squad protection plan from other forum members in the Warranty & policy section. Hope this helps

[strubby]

That's what I was afraid to hear. I like the non-deductible if I'm going to have to use it more than once, but from things I've read on here so far, the $150 deductible might be worth saving the headache. First I have to decide if I really want a smart phone, then whether I should buy from Best Buy or my carrier. The insurance was one factor, the other is Best Buy is also cheaper on the products themselves. I guess I'll have to go to Best Buy and ask for literature on the plan, as well as my carrier and compare. Of course the assocaiate makes it sound like the phone will be covered no matter what.

I know I bought an expensive warranty on a video camera I purchased a few years ago from Best Buy as I planned on using it to film ATV riding, and was told it would be covered NO MATTER WHAT, even if I ran it over with my truck. Well, I was denied coverage on it. My girlfriend left the windows down in the truck and it rained. I'm assuming the case absorbed the water and made it worse, becuase the camera didn't even seem wet, but it didn't work. I also had some trouble getting my computer worked on under warranty through the Geek Squad and had to argue... a lot. It was finally taken care of though. A phone is a little more important to get fixed quickly, though....

[Bagman]

Your a smarter man than I was to read the policy before you buy it!!! I was told by Mobile dept that if I lost it, it was stolen, and even if I ran over with my truck (which I had done once) With Best Buys protection plan I would walk out of the store with a new phone right out of the box. When I was in the store I had asked to read the policy and was told they don't have them in the store (Should have been my first clue) Then when I went to talk to the Manager about what I was told by BB employee He said I was a Liar. I was lucky enough when my phone was lost that an honest person found it and I cancelled my Protection plan with BB and my carrier had open enrollment for insurance in September, If they would not have had open enrollment, My 2 smart phones would be unprotected from the abuse of my job.

[DanK Best Buy Employee]

strubby, be aware that this is a Customer Service forum so you are only going to get the stories of people who had bad experiences. There are thousands and thousands of people who have used the Black Tie Protection service on their phones with success.

It is true that the plan does not replace lost or stolen phones, however to help out in that area you now get a free subscription to the Locked & Found service, which can locate your phone and lets you wipe confidential data remotely if it is stolen.

The plan does cover water damage, as long as you do not state that it was fully submerged.

There is no deductible. Average turnaround time is 2-5 days. It will only be longer in the rare circumstance if reconditioned phones are backordered, or your phone has to be repaired instead of Rapid Exchanged. In my experience, it almost never takes more than a couple of days.

[Bagman]

Dank-When did locked & found come into play?

[DanK Best Buy Employee]

I'm not sure of the exact date, but it's been several months. For more info, click the link below:

http://lockedandfound.geeksquad.com/locked&found_about

It has several neat features, such as locating the phone, taking the picture of the person using it if it's stolen, and assisting in recovery with free shipping.

[strubby]

Lost or stolen... I'm not too worried about that, as I've almost never had a phone lost or stolen. I keep good track of my phone, but that means it goes wherever I go; i.e. sawdust, dropped, bumped into things, etc. So, is the $9.99/month plan the Black and Tie plan? Is it similar to plans I've previuosly had on other devices; cameras, computers, etc? Is there somewhere online I can read the fineprint on this warranty? I have also had bad experiences with my carriers in the past and insurance, so I don't expect them to be any better. My last Tundra is still sitting on my dresser in two pieces becuase I have to pay $50 for another phone that will just break the same way. Why would I do that? Hence, thinking of going a different route.

About the different phone models. Any suggestions? I've listed what the phone will endure and what uses I'll have for it. Would any particular phone be better? I'm probably looking into the phones that are $100 and under w/ 2 yr agreement.

[Bagman]

DanK-Thats strange because I asked Best Buy mobile on 9/15/2011 if they could try to locate my phone that was lost and they said NO they don't have any means to do that, that I would have to download an app for that from the market. Could you post where strubby can read the T & C's on the mobile plans!!

Strubby- I have an LG optimus smartphone, I'm really hard on phones due to my work and I havent had any problems yet!

[Douglas-BBY Community Connector]

Hello Bagmand and Strubby --

You can find the overview of our Black Tie Protection plan at the link below.  If you scroll down and take a look at the fine print, you can find another link to the full terms and conditions as well.

Geek Squad Black Tie Protection plan for mobile phones

Hope this helps you make your decision.

Cheers!